Situated on 65 acres of pristine woodlands, this beautiful spiritual retreat center is located 45 miles north of metro Atlanta. We serve the Christian community in the metro Atlanta, Athens, Winder and Gainesville areas. Whatever your needs; weddings, church meetings, family gatherings, or that special pastoral spiritual retreat, we have the facilities for you. Everything is here, from full kitchen and sleeping facilities to spacious meeting rooms and a chapel. Outdoors you will find beautiful grounds with recreation areas for small gatherings and several gardens for quiet study times, counseling, and contemplation. Carmel Retreat also has acres of beautiful woodlands and a nature trail for long quiet walks and exploration. Whether your event is for just a day or an entire week, let us help you and your family or church group enjoy an occasion in a distinctive retreat setting that will bring cherished memories for years to come.
The Center is three-stories with 12,000-sq. ft. of homestyle living and meeting space and can accommodate up to 49 people overnight. There is a beautiful chapel that seats approximately 90 people.
Side A has a large living room, conference room, dining room, and a large fully equipped kitchen. A breakdown of the bedrooms is as follows: a large bedroom on the main floor for a disabled person, with a queen size bed and a private bathroom. On the lower level there are eight bedrooms with two single beds and a private half bath in each room, two large bedrooms with two single beds and one bunk bed in each and private half bathrooms. There are six private showers located near the bedrooms. The upstairs has a live-in suite with a kitchen and a large bedroom with sitting area, which is ideal for the retreat leader. Also, on this floor there is one large bedroom with three single beds and two small “hermitage” rooms with one single bed in each. A full bathroom is located on this level.
Side B has a large chapel a meeting room, a counseling or reconciliation room, two half baths and a fully equipped kitchen on the main floor. On the upper level there is a sitting room, two bedrooms, one with two single beds and the other with one single bed, a half bath and a shower are located near the bedrooms. On the lower level there are nine bedrooms with bathrooms in the rooms or immediately adjacent. These bedrooms breakdown as follows: four rooms with two single beds, two rooms with two single beds and a bunk bed, and three rooms with one single bed in each.
Both kitchens are equipped with cookware, china, glasses, cups and flatware. The Center does not provide meals; therefore, it is necessary for you to bring your own food as prepared dishes from home or to be cooked on the premises. Catering services are also available. A list of caterers is available upon request.